DECEIVED, TIRED. Two Abu Sayyaf Group bandits surrender Tuesday (April 5, 2022) to military authorities in Sulu province, claiming to have realized they were deceived by their leaders. They turned over a Garand rifle, a caliber .45 pistol, a bandolier, and assorted ammunition. (Photo courtesy of the Joint Task Force Sulu)
ZAMBOANGA CITY – Two more Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits have surrendered in the province of Sulu after realizing they were deceived by their leaders, a top military official said Wednesday.
Maj. Gen. Ignatius Patrimonio, Joint Task Force (JTF)-Sulu commander, identified the ASG surrenderers as Abu Udar, 42, and Abu Al, 42, who surrendered Tuesday to the Army's 4th Marine Brigade in Barangay Tandu Bato in Luuk town.
Udar, a resident of Panamao town, is a follower of ASG senior leader Radullan Sahiron, while Abu Al of Luuk municipality is a follower of sub-leader Idang Susukan and the late sub-leader Alhabsy Misaya.
“Despaired by the terrorist group’s deception, the two decided to end their armed struggle and return to the folds of the law,” Patrimonio said in a statement.
Patrimonio said the surrenderers turned over a Garand rifle, a caliber .45 pistol, a bandolier and assorted ammunition.
The duo also revealed that they were tired of evading the government forces and victimizing innocent civilians, he said.
He added that they also feared being killed due to the ASG'S weakened capability and the intensified operations of the military in the province of Sulu.
Lt. Gen. Alfredo Rosario Jr., commander of the Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom), said the military's success against terrorism can be attributed "to the synergy among security forces coupled with the unwavering support of the local government units, peace partners, the religious leaders, and the locals."
Rosario urged the remaining ASG members to come out, saying the group has lost substantial mass support amidst the military's combined combat and non-combat operations targeting the bandits.
JTF-Sulu records showed that a total of 48 ASG members surrendered since January, this year. (PNA)
